SA June 30 Protest: Benjamin Quashie shares update on Ghanaians awaiting repatriation

Ghana's High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie has disclosed that about 900 Ghanaians awaiting repatriation from South Africa have been moved to safe havens ahead of the planned anti-immigration protests on June 30, 2026.

He said measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of the affected nationals as efforts continue to evacuate them from the country.

Thousands flee South Africa ahead of unofficial June 30 deadline as President warns anti-migrant protesters

According to Quashie in a Channel One TV interview on June 28, 2026, the repatriation process has been delayed because South African immigration authorities are currently handling the return of about 10,000 Malawian nationals.

"On the directive of the Minister, we have engaged the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa. I'm sure that you've heard that our people, compatriots from Malawi, almost 10,000 of them are being repatriated back home. So, the whole set up of the Home Affairs Department, which are supposed to help us in clearing our people to travel, are dealing with that number, that huge 10,000 number, and so we couldn't have them last week to help us," he said.

He expressed hope that Ghana's repatriation exercise would begin once the South African authorities complete the ongoing operation involving the Malawian nationals.

"We're hoping that by this week they should be able to finish up with whatever they are doing so that they come and help us,” he indicated.

Quashie noted that Ghana had hoped to evacuate its nationals before the June 30, 2026, demonstrations but said the circumstances on the South African side made that impossible.

"Unfortunately, yesterday in the evening, when I had a call with the Honorable Minister, he wished that we were able to do the evacuations before the 30th of June.

“But from the South African side, it will be very difficult, and we don't want to be seen as people who are not grateful, because when we started, they have been there helping us through the screening processes, and I believe that once they told us that they are dealing with the Malawians, and once they are done with the Malawians, they will come to us,” he stated.

He assured that the Ghana High Commission remains in touch with the South African authorities to ensure the affected Ghanaians are safely and orderly repatriated once the necessary clearance processes are completed.

Tuesday, June 30, 2026, is the deadline that anti-immigration groups in South Africa gave all undocumented foreign African nationals to leave the country.

June 30 Deadline: Jancita outlines mega anti-immigration protest in South Africa

Ahead of the deadline, tens of thousands of foreign African nationals - both documented and undocumented - are either fleeing South Africa or taking refuge in their embassies and consulates in the country.

Meanwhile, the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, has urged the anti-immigration groups to embark on their protests and marches peacefully and refrain from attacking foreign nationals living in the country.

About 900 Ghanaians awaiting repatriation from South Africa are currently in safe havens ahead of planned anti-immigration protests on June 30, Ghana's Ambassador to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, has disclosed. He says measures have been put in place to ensure the safe and… pic.twitter.com/vlVJ290Rhf

— CITI FM 97.3 (@Citi973) June 28, 2026

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